Patient Zero

Main Range #124

Released: 22 August 2009

Listened: 7/20/20

Between the last story and this one, Big Finish shifted the monthly range schedule to feature mostly linked trilogies of stories. Which means that Charley’s stay got extended by a couple of stories, but also that her condition becomes more central to the plot as of now. It’s also rather more continuity-heavy, as stories by Nick Briggs tend to be. It’s the first appearance of the Dalek Time Controller, who would most often be seen bothering the Eighth Doctor. It’s also the first appearance of Mila, who’s difficult to discuss without spoilers, but she’s an entity who’s been hiding in the TARDIS since “The Chase,” completely undetected. It also features the Viyrans, and we find out the origin of all the viruses they’ve been so concerned about whenever they appear. In fact, the virus in this story is probably the same as the one Peri had in “Mission of the Viyrans.” On top of all of which, it’s a Dalek story. The plot itself is kind of slow-boiling, as the story is trying to keep several secrets for as long as it can: Amethyst Station, the Time Controller, Mila, and the virus itself. As a result, the Doctor doesn’t get to do much except stand around, shout questions, and react to things, even up until the end. And the end isn’t really an ending as such, as they’re leaning hard into the trilogy idea. As a stand-alone story, it’s somewhat lacking, but as the first part of the trilogy, it’s better.